Production of carbon clusters C3\text{C}_3 to C12\text{C}_{12} with a cryogenic buffer-gas beam source

Cryogenic buffer-gas beam sources are capable of producing intense beams of a wide variety of molecules, and have a number of advantages over traditional supersonic expansion sources. In this work, we report on a neon matrix isolation study of carbon clusters produced with a cryogenic buffer-gas beam source. Carbon clusters created by laser ablation of graphite are trapped in a neon matrix and detected with a Fourier transform infrared spectrometer in the spectral range $4000-1000~\text{cm}^{-1}$. Through a study of carbon cluster production as a function of various system parameters, we characterize the behavior of the buffer-gas beam source and find that approximately $10^{11}-10^{12}$ of each cluster is produced with each pulse of the ablation laser. These measurements demonstrate the usefulness of cryogenic buffer-gas beam sources for producing molecular beams of clusters.Comment: 7 pages, 4 figure

Glycosylated nanoparticles as efficient antimicrobial delivery agents

Synthetic polymer nanoparticles that can be tailored through multivalent ligand display on the surface, while at the same time allowing encapsulation of desired bioactive molecules, are especially useful in providing a versatile and robust platform in the design of specific delivery vehicles for various purposes. Glycosylated nanoparticles (glyco-NPs) of a poly(n-butyl acrylate) (pBA) core and poly(N-2-(β-d-glucosyloxy)ethyl acrylamide) (p(NβGlcEAM)) or poly(N-2-(β-D-galactosyloxy)ethyl acrylamide) (p(NβGalEAM)) corona were prepared via nanoprecipitation in aqueous solutions of preformed amphiphilic glycopolymers. Well-defined block copolymers of (poly(pentafluorophenyl acrylate) (pPFPA) and pBA were first prepared by RAFT polymerization followed by postpolymerization functionalization with aminoethyl glycosides to yield p(NβGlcEAM-b-BA) and p(NβGalEAM-b-BA), which were then used to form glyco-NPs (glucosylated and galactosylated NPs, Glc-NPs and Gal-NPs, respectively). The glyco-NPs were characterized by dynamic light scattering (DLS) and TEM. Encapsulation and release of ampicillin, leading to nanoparticles that we have termed “glyconanobiotics”, were studied. The ampicillin-loaded glyco-NPs were found to induce aggregation of Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli and resulted in antibacterial activity approaching that of ampicillin itself. This glyconanobiotics strategy represents a potential new approach for the delivery of antibiotics close to the surface of bacteria by promoting bacterial aggregation. Defined release in the proximity of the bacterial envelope may thus enhance antibacterial efficiency and potentially reduce the quantities of agent required for potency

Confirmation of co-denitrification in grazed grassland

peer-reviewedPasture-based livestock systems are often associated with losses of reactive forms of nitrogen (N) to the environment. Research has focused on losses to air and water due to the health, economic and environmental impacts of reactive N. Di-nitrogen (N2) emissions are still poorly characterized, both in terms of the processes involved and their magnitude, due to financial and methodological constraints. Relatively few studies have focused on quantifying N2 losses in vivo and fewer still have examined the relative contribution of the different N2 emission processes, particularly in grazed pastures. We used a combination of a high 15N isotopic enrichment of applied N with a high precision of determination of 15N isotopic enrichment by isotope-ratio mass spectrometry to measure N2 emissions in the field. We report that 55.8 g N m−2 (95%, CI 38 to 77 g m−2) was emitted as N2 by the process of co-denitrification in pastoral soils over 123 days following urine deposition (100 g N m−2), compared to only 1.1 g N m−2 (0.4 to 2.8 g m−2) from denitrification. This study provides strong evidence for co-denitrification as a major N2 production pathway, which has significant implications for understanding the N budgets of pastoral ecosystems.The authors are grateful for the funding that was provided through the Research Stimulus Fund Program administered by the Department of Agriculture & Food under the National Development Plan 2007–2013 RSF 07536. The first author is grateful for the funding provided by Teagasc through the Walsh Fellowship Scheme

Transmission electron microscopy structure and platinum-like temperature coefficient of resistance in a ruthenate-based thick film resistor with copper oxide

As an alternative to thin-film platinum temperature sensor elements, thick film resistor ones are of interest for circuits which can withstand a near-engine environment. From a pyrochlore paste (DuPont 5091D), a close match is obtained (after firing) to the positive temperature coefficient of resistance (TCR) of Pt. Within the glassy matrix during 850 °C850 °C firing, needle-like RuO2RuO2 grains grow by a mechanism consistent with periodic bond chain theory. The acicular growth habit is attributed to a Cu2OCu2O additive, which is assumed to oxidize upon firing. The needles provide direct paths for metallic conduction and a characteristic positive TCR to the thick film in spite of having a low RuO2RuO2 volume fraction. © 2000 American Institute of Physics.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/70506/2/JAPIAU-88-2-1124-1.pd

Integrated survey of boat-based recreational fishing in inner Shark Bay 2018/19

Inner Shark Bay is a popular recreational fishing destination. As recreational fishing occurs in a World Heritage Area and Marine Park, there is a need for ongoing reliable information on catches. Many boat-based recreational fishers in inner Shark Bay target Pink Snapper (Chrysophrys auratus)

Contribution of Fdh3 and Glr1 to Glutathione Redox State, Stress Adaptation and Virulence in Candida albicans

Acknowledgments: We thank Aaron Mitchell and Dominique Sanglard for providing the C. albicans protein kinase and transposon mutant libraries, and Louise Walker for the strain CAMY203.Peer reviewedPublisher PD

The healthiness of food and beverages on price promotion at promotional displays: A cross-sectional audit of australian supermarkets

Supermarket environments can strongly influence purchasing decisions. Price promotions are recognised as a particularly persuasive tactic, but the healthiness of price promotions in prominent in-store locations is understudied. This study compared the prevalence and magnitude of price promotions on healthy and unhealthy food and beverages (foods) displayed at prominent in-store locations within Australian supermarkets, including analyses by supermarket group and area-level socio-economic position. A cross-sectional in-store audit of price promotions on foods at key display areas was undertaken in 104 randomly selected stores from major Australian supermarket groups (Woolworths, Coles, Aldi and independents) in Victoria, Australia. Of the display space dedicated to foods with price promotions, three of the four supermarket groups had a greater proportion of display space devoted to unhealthy (compared to healthy) foods at each promotional location measured (end of aisles: 66%; island bins: 53%; checkouts: 88%). Aldi offered very few price promotions. Few measures varied by area-level socio-economic position. This study demonstrated that price promotions at prominent in-store locations in Australian supermarkets favoured unhealthy foods. Marketing of this nature is likely to encourage the purchase of unhealthy foods, highlighting the need for retailers and policy-makers to consider addressing in-store pricing and placement strategies to encourage healthier food environments

Do the foods advertised in Australian supermarket catalogues reflect national dietary guidelines?

Unhealthy diets are the major contributor to poor health in Australia and many countries globally. The majority of food spending in Australia occurs in supermarkets, which stock and sell both healthy and unhealthy foods. This study aimed to compare the foods advertised in the marketing catalogues (circulars) from four Australian supermarket chains with the Australian Guide to Healthy Eating. The content of national online weekly supermarket catalogues from four major Australian supermarket retailers was audited from June-September 2013 (12 weeks). Advertised products were categorized as (i) foods in the five core food groups (plus water); (ii) discretionary foods plus fats and oils; (iii) alcohol and (iv) other (food not fitting into any other category). Across all chains combined, 34.2% of foods advertised were from the five core food groups, 43.3% were discretionary foods, 8.5% were alcohol and the remaining 14.0% were \u27other\u27 foods. The percentage of advertised foods in the five core food groups varied between 29.3 and 38.3% across the four chains, whereas the percentage of discretionary foods varied between 34.8 and 49.0%. Australian supermarket catalogues heavily promote discretionary foods and contribute towards an environment that supports unhealthy eating behaviour. Strategies to increase the ratio of healthy-to-unhealthy foods need to be explored as part of efforts to improve population diets

Integrative Model of Oxidative Stress Adaptation in the Fungal Pathogen Candida albicans

Acknowledgments We are grateful to the Ian Fraser Cytometry Centre and our Mass Spetrometry and qPCR Facilities for help with the flow cytometry, glutathione and qRT-PCR assays, respectively. We also thank our many colleagues in the CRISP Consortium and in the medical mycology and systems biology communities for insightful discussions. Funding: This work was supported by the CRISP project (Combinatorial Responses In Stress Pathways), which was funded by the UK Biotechnology and Biological Research Council (www.bbsrc.ac.uk): AJPB, KH, CG, ADM, NARG, MT, MCR. (Research Grants; BB/F00513X/1, BB/F005210/1-2). AJPB and JQ received additional support from the BBSRC (Research Grants; BB/K016393/1; BB/K017365/1). NARG and AJPB were also supported by the Wellcome Trust (www.wellcome.ac.uk), (Grants: 080088; 097377). AJPB was also supported by the European Research Council (http://erc.europa.eu/), (STRIFE Advanced Grant; ERC-2009-AdG-249793). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.Peer reviewedPublisher PD